Endoscopic cutting forceps with jaw clamp lever latching mechanism

Abstract

A lever latching system comprising: a housing; a lever having a latch pin fixedly mounted to the lever, the lever being movably mounted to the housing so that the latch pin moves in an arc; and a latch plate movably mounted to the housing for linear movement with respect to the housing, the latch plate comprising a labyrinth for receiving the latch pin.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A lever latching system comprising:
 a housing; 
 a lever having a latch pin fixedly mounted to said lever, said lever being movably mounted to said housing so that said latch pin moves in a prescribed motion; 
 a latch plate movably mounted to said housing for linear movement with respect to said housing, said latch plate comprising a labyrinth for receiving said latch pin; and 
 a spring for biasing said latch plate with respect to said housing, 
 wherein said spring is formed integral with said latch plate. 
 
     
     
       2. A lever latching system according to  claim 1  wherein said prescribed motion is linear motion. 
     
     
       3. A lever latching system according to  claim 1  wherein said prescribed motion is arcuate motion. 
     
     
       4. A lever latching system according to  claim 1  wherein said spring can both extend and compress during reciprocal movement of said latch plate. 
     
     
       5. A lever latching system according to  claim 1  wherein said spring is loop-shaped. 
     
     
       6. A lever latching system according to  claim 1  wherein said spring is secured to said housing. 
     
     
       7. A lever latching system comprising:
 a housing; 
 a lever having a latch pin fixedly mounted to said lever, said lever being movably mounted to said housing so that said latch pin moves in a prescribed motion; 
 a selector plate movably mounted to said housing; 
 
       a latch plate comprising a labyrinth for selectively receiving said latch pin, said latch plate being movably mounted to said selector plate; and
 a spring for biasing said latch plate with respect to said selector plate. 
 
     
     
       8. A lever latching system according to  claim 7  wherein said prescribed motion is linear motion. 
     
     
       9. A lever latching system according to  claim 7  wherein said prescribed motion is arcuate motion. 
     
     
       10. A lever latching system according to  claim 7  wherein said spring is formed integral with said latch plate. 
     
     
       11. A lever latching system according to  claim 7  wherein said latch plate is movably mounted to said selector plate for linear movement relative to said selector plate. 
     
     
       12. A lever latching system according to  claim 7  wherein said selector plate is movable between (i) an engaged position wherein said labyrinth of said latch plate intersects said prescribed motion of said latch pin, and (ii) a disengaged position wherein said labyrinth of said latch plate does not intersect with said prescribed motion of said latch pin. 
     
     
       13. A lever latching system according to  claim 7  wherein said spring can both extend and compress during movement of said latch plate. 
     
     
       14. A lever latching system according to  claim 7  wherein said spring comprises a leaf spring. 
     
     
       15. A lever latching system according to  claim 7  wherein said spring is secured to said selector plate.